And so it begins.

Okay, so as the old saying goes: "if you can't beat 'em join 'em.".   
As times have changed and the world looks to the internet for almost everything, I guess I should take the hint.  So here is my journey into figuring it all out. 

My name is Flavio Benavidez, Jr.  I am a 45 yr old artist.  Now, the reason for this blog is probably more selfish than anything else.  I was told that in order to increase my business that I had to turn to the internet.  So, here I am.  I have been doing my artwork now for going on 30 years, but until recently I guess I considered it an extreme hobby.  I have always said that I would not be a starving artist because I worked for a living, and boy, have I worked. 

I spent almost 25 years working in the restaurant and bar industry.  I loved it.  I loved it because it afforded me the ability to make a lot of money and have a flexible schedule.  It allowed me the time to do my artwork.  Let's be honest, it allowed me alot of time and money to party. And party I did!  I did do alot of artwork, but my priorities were skewed.  Today I find myself a middle aged man who is tired of just working. Tired of doing a job that I don't particularly care for.  I like the people I work with but the idea of going to work sometimes makes me feel like there should be something more.  I should want to jump up and be glad to be able to go do the job that I have to do.  Not just go to the "old grind".  Don't get me wrong, I do a great amount of artwork, but I always wanted to be able to have a career that I truly enjoyed.
As I get older I am finding that I am wanting more and more to just do my work.  My artwork.  Thus, I am here writing this blog. 

Now, assuming someone is actually reading this and taking the time to sneak a peek into my mind, I want to warn you; I have no idea what I am doing.
 
Let's begin with the reason I am here.  I am starting this blog not only to increase my internet presence, but to hopefully torque my thought processing. I tend to have many ideas, but once faced with the question of how to get them done, alot of them fall to the wayside. Hopefully, today I can begin the journey of bringing my dreams to fruition.

Okay, I am currently online through webites who either offer artwork or articles about me and my artwork. I have been featured on the local news KENS5: Affair of the Art. I donate artwork on a regular basis to local charities and have had many of my pieces autograhed by the celebrities which they depict.  Like who?  Well..Ann Richards, Eartha Kitt, Terrance Trent D'Arby, The Del Rubio Triplets, Bette Midler, Taylor Dayne, Troy Aikman, KD Lang and Manu Ginobili.

By the list of celebrities you should know by now that I specialize in people.  I do mostly black and white, but have begun to include some color.  I originally started doing pen and ink renderings, but have now evolved into precision cut paper.  So much more of a crisp line.  You can see it at
www.fabulousfabian.com/visionsbyflavio, or on facebook under Visions by Flavio.  Drop by and take a look.
  
I am currently working on putting together a mural to honor our veterans who have so bravely gone before us to protect us and our way of life.  We, and I am sure that I can speak for a vast majority when it comes to this, are truly grateful. That is why it is important for me to make sure that I don't just let this idea go.
I want it to be big, thought provoking, heart tugging and emotional.  And when I say big I mean, I want it to be something you HAVE to stop and take a look at.  I have had an idea to produce something that would get people's attention and would give me the opportunity to say something as well. I think this could possibly grant me my wish.  

So, since I already know what I am wanting the finished mural/installation to look like, I first need to gather up subject matter.  I know what I want.  I want photos, since it is easier to work from photos,  of our service men and women at home and in action.  Now my first idea was to go to the inernet.  LOL.  Ironic, right?  Then, being that I live in one of the most military concentrated cities in the US, I figured I would start here.  In San Antonio, TX. But how?

I have already posted on facebook and twitter, don't even get me started on tiwtter, but not much response.  So where do I begin?  How do you approach organizations about an idea when you're not a reknown person of interest, yet.  Notice, I said, YET. Who would I talk to?  Who would be interested?  I would think there has to be an honest and humble approach that would be received with interest and excitement.   After all almost every family is somehow connected or affected by the deployment of our troops.  I would think that particularly here in San Antonio I would be able to find a great interest.  Let's hope that my assumptions are correct.
 
In the following weeks I plan to put into action my ideas of producing this memorial piece of work.  I hope that I can not only provide info on how something of this size can be accomplished, but find an inner security that will help me with sculpting my furture and the future of my work.